Cruise Master, the Middle East’s leading specialized cruise agency, has announced it is bringing back its online cruise booking portal as the industry recovers from the pandemic.

Cruise Master is a one-stop-shop for the world’s major cruise lines, connecting customers and travel agents to countless itineraries, destinations, and experiences.

The company launched the first cruise booking engine in the Middle East 15 years ago, and now covers 18 major cruise lines, as well as partnering with key airlines in the region to offer an integrated service for travel agents and passengers.

Ashok Kumar, general manager, Cruise Master

RELATED: MSC Cruises reports strong demand for World Europa out of Dubai

RELATED: Arabian Adventures expands shore excursion offerings in Dubai

Ashok Kumar, Managing Director and Founder of Cruise Master, told Trade Arabia the regional cruise industry is seeing robust growth as it emerges from the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As we celebrate the fifteenth year of Cruise Master, we are pleased to see the uptick in cruising as the world rebounds from the effects of the pandemic,” he said. “We are seeing consumer demand in the region reach new heights and it’s the perfect time to relaunch our cruise booking engine, bringing customers their dream cruise experience at the click of a button.”

“First time cruisers can choose from a cruise in Alaska, the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Northern Europe in summer or an exotic journey to the Far East, Japan or Australia,” he added.

Cruise Master also facilitates booking of ultra-luxury cruises on ocean going small cruise ships and more adventurous expedition cruises to both of the world’s polar regions.

“Each port of call offers a distinct experience, opening a world of possibilities for clients looking to traverse the seven seas on a cruise ship,” said Kumar.

The relaunch of Cruise Master’s online booking portal comes as cruise tourism officials in the UAE and wider Middle East prepare for a busy 2022/23 cruise season, with widespread expectations that 2023 will mark the region’s full recovery from the impact of the pandemic.

Abdulla Binhabtoor, Chief Portfolio Management Officer at Shamal Holding, which owns Dubai Harbour, told Gulf News he expects the coming cruise season to mark further recovery ahead of a full rebound by 2023.

This mirrors comments made by MSC Cruises, which has also indicated that it sees the coming winter cruise season from November 2022 to March 2023 as a bridge between the pandemic losses and full recovery in 2023.